Cushion unit forming apparatus



Oct. 18, 1938. w. P. coUslNo CUSHION UNIT Fem/[INU APPARATUS led June 16 1957 4 sheets-Shen 1 [NI/ENZOR WcLZe?? P 091452770. U

fw/@m Oct. 18, 1938. w. P. couslNo CUSHION UNIT FORMING APPARATUS Filed June 16, 1937 0. NJ dv @n nv ma f Lldl. V ,n \\Mv k .nu MA W 1 E I f a l/I/ llIl/I/ l 1 I I I l Il d m n W M I! I mmv n n WMWWRWI Ell hwy. hh :s RU @6% a Nm ,B l f l SW r m 5 w44 5f .AN www F lq WRJMHQWHRWW m@ MM lkw iw 1W w s .S1

Oct. 18, 1938. w. P. couslNo CUSHION UNIT FORMING APPARATUS Filed June 16, v193'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. )4Q/fer 7? 'azzsz'ya.

y V @Rh/s@ Oct. 18, 1938. w. P. couslNO CUSHION UNIT FORD/[ING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 16, 1937 0 ma. o v m 5. www 3. V 1m A l 'Il P. s r ,s/ .m k f .o a a W y@ Patented Oct. 18, 1938 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,133,428 CUSHION UNIT FORMING APPARATUS Walter P. Cousino, Detr Chrysler Corporation,

oit, Mich., assignor to Highland Park, Mich.,

15 Claims.

elates to improved apparatus shion units for This invention r for manufacturing resilient cu seats, mattresses, and the like.

More particularly, the invention pertains to 5 apparatus for manufacturing cushion units of this character which include convoluted sheet-like resilient netting or other suitable resilient material.

One of the main objects f the invention is the provision of apparatus of this kind by which elongated, sheet-like stock, such as netting comprising wire strands, can be economically and continuously brought to convoluted form and subsequently cut into units of desired length.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus of this character by which successively adjacent sections of an elongated piece of sheet-like stock can be formed into convolutions of progressively varying height for producing tapering cushion units which vary .in height at selected portions.

A further object of the invention is to provide selectively adjustable apparatus of this character by which may be formed cushion units having opposite sides that are parallel and substantially perpendicular to its height, two opposite sides which slope toward each other at inclinations to the heights of the unit, or one side which is perpendicular to the heights of the cushion and an opposite side inclined with respect thereto.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of this kind which automatically `repeats one tapered or non-tapered cushion unit forming operation after another.

Additional objects of the invention are to provide improved means for crimping selected portions of the sheet-like stock in order that the same will be self-sustaining in contour; and to provide Vautomatically operable crimping means of this character which is adapted to variably predetermine the angular relationship between portionsl f the sheet-like material on opposite sides of the crimped portions thereof,

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one type of resilient cushion unit the improved apparatus is adapted to form.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View of another type of resilient cushion unit the improved apparatus is adapted to form.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another type of cushion unit the improved apparatus is adapted to form.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View of a cushion unit forming machine embodying the invention,

showing parts thereof removed to disclose the underlying structure.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical, transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional View taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is an end elevational view showing the machine illustrated in Fig. 4 as viewed from the left of the latter figure.

Fig. 11 is an end elevational View showing the machine illustrated in Fig. 4 as viewed from the right of the latter figure.

Fig. 12 is a'horizontal sectional View taken on the line l2-I2 of Fig. 10.

In Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings are illustrated three forms of cushion units comprising convoluted sheet-like material which the improved forming apparatus is adapted to produce. In each of these forms the sheet-like material 1ncludes wire netting, generally designated by the numeral lll, having longitudinally extending strands or Warp Il comprising resilient wire similar to piano wire. The transverse strands or Woof l2 may comprise ductile Wire or any other suitable material including 'cord which may be relied upon to secure the Warp in proper spaced relationship. The sheet-like stock of the foregoing nature is preferably dipped in a rubber-containing solution to provide a iilm of rubber-containing composition over or between the interstices of its entirety, or over selected space portions thereof. In the form illustrated in Fig. 1 the rubber film is designated by the numeral I3. In this figure the resilient cushion unit comprises convolutions of uniformed heights and consequently the opposite side planes of the cushion unit are substantially parallel and perpendicular to the height of the unit.

In the form of the cushion unit illustrated in Fig. 2, the upper and lower rows of convolutions thereof progressively increase in height from left to right, as viewed in this. figure in order to provide opposite side planes which converge and which are inclined with respect to the normal height of the cushion. In Fig. 3 of the drawings is illustrated a cushion unit in which only the convolutions of one row of convolutions vary progressively in height, the convolutions of the other row being substantially uniform in height in order to provide one side plane which is substantially normal to the heights of the convolutions and another side plane which is inclined with respect thereto.

Cushion units of the foregoing character are generally shown and described in Patents Nos. 2,094,041 and 2,094,074, both granted September 28, 1937 in the names of Lee and Tea, and Lee, Tea. and Anderson, respectively.

The cushion unit forming machine illustrated in the drawings comprises, as shown in Fig. 4, a supporting frame structure generally designated by the numeral I4 having longitudinally spaced end plates I5 and I6, respectively, on which upper and lower rolls I1 and I8, respectively are journalled. The roll I1 includes axially extending shaft portions I9 and-20 which are journalled in bearings 2I and 22, respectively, mounted in apertures formed in the side plates I5 and I6, respectively. The roll I8 lhas axially extending shaft portions 23 and 24 journalled in bearings 25 and 26 mounted in apertures in the walls I5 and I6, respectively. The shaft portions 20 and 24 of the right ends of the rolls I1 and I8, as viewed in Fig. 4, extend outwardly beyond the end plate I6 of the frame structure I4 and are provided with gears 21 and 28, respectively, having teeth permanently meshed together. The teeth of the lower gear 28 are meshed with teeth of a drive pinion 29 carried by a shaft 30 by which the rolls are drivingly rotated in timed relationship with respect to each other.

The rolls I1 and I8 are provided with two sets of correspondingly arranged pairs of radially extending blades and vanes, the vanes of each roll having grooves in their outer extremity for receiving the end portions of respective corresponding blades of the otherY roll. In designating the blades and vanes of the respective rolls I1 and I0, lower case letters a, b, c, d, eVand f have been applied to the blades of each of the rolls and capital letters A, B, C, D, E and F have been applied to the corresponding vanes with which the foregoing blades of each of the rolls cooperate. The folds or creases formed by the corresponding blades and vanes are designated by the corresponding letters a to f', inclusive, in Fig. 1.

Each of the vanes B and C comprise a central plate 3| and side plate 32 adjacent the opposite side surfaces thereof which are detachably secured to the center' plate 3I by screws 33. The side plates 32 extend beyond the outer extremities vof the center plate 3I in order to provide the above mentioned grooves at the outer extremities of the vanes. Each vane A and D comprises a fixed center plate 34 having a fixed side plate secured adjacent one side surface thereof by a screw 35 and a movable side plate or jaw 36 disposed adjacent the opposite side surface of the center plate 34 and confined between the latter side surface and a supporting wedge 31 carried by the roll. Formed in the supporting wedge 31Y is a recess 3B in which is disposed a longitudinally extending expansible tube 39, preferably comprising rubber. The vanes A and D and associ- Y ated clamping mechanism are substantially identical and therefore a description of one will serve for all. The left end of the tube 39, as viewed in Fig. 4, is closed andthe right end thereof is provided with a fluid medium inlet tube 40 which is connected to a fitting 4I carried by the roll I1,

for example, and through which fluid may be supplied to the interio-r of the tube 39. The interior of the fitting 4I communicates with a system of passages 42 leading from the roll passage 42 of the shaft support 2U.

Vand 58 on the lower roll I8.

Yber 62 of U-shaped cross section.

through the center of the shaft portion 20 thereof to the external end of this shaft portion. A fluid pressure `supply line 43, Connected with a source of fluid pressure (not shown), is communicatively connected with the external end. portion of the As illustrated in Fig. 4, a passage system 42 supplies fluid pressure to the expansible tubes 39 of the vanes A and B of each roll, respectively.

Provided in the fitting 4I, associated with each expansible tube 39, is valve mechanism for automatically charging and exhausting fluid medium from the interior of each flexible tuber This valve mechanism includes a valve member 44 having a stem 45 extending Ybeyond the housing of the fitting 4I and adapted to be engaged and operated by a cam plate 46 mounted on the end Wall I6 of the supporting frame I4. As the roll I1, for example, rotates the cam plate urges the Valve and valve stem leftwardly, as viewed in Fig. 4, at desired angular positions of the roll in Yorder to admit fiuid'medium from the passage system 42 to the inlet pipe V4I). is in its inwardly pressed position, the exhaust port or groove 41 thereof is closed. A spring 48 bearing between the valve 44 and a shoulder in the interior of the casing of the fitting 4I normally urges the valve rightwardly, as viewed in Fig. 4, cutting off the supply of fluid medium to the yieldable tubes 39 and connecting the same to atmosphere through the exhaust groove 41, when'the cam plate will permit such rightward movement of the valve.

Thefluid pressure medium system of each roller is provided with similar valve control means to predetermine the periods of arcuate travels of the rollers during which the movable clamping jaws 36 of the vanes A and D are actuated. 'I'he movable jaws 36 are normally spread apart from the fixed jaws of the vanes A and D by spring plates 49 disposed in recesses 5U formed in the sides of the central plates 34, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

In order to predetermine and, in some cases, vary the distances between selected fold edges produced by the cooperating vane and blade members of the respective rolls I1 and I3, there are provided on each of the foregoing rolls radially extensible spacing members generally designated by the numeral 5I, 52, 53 and 54 on the upper roll I1, as'viewed in Fig. 8, and 55, 56, 57 These extensible spacing members are substantially identical in construction and therefore the description of Vone will serve for all. Each of the extensible members includes a central plate 59 mounted When the valveV in a groove 6U formed in one of the'rolls. Each plate 59 is somewhat shorter than the length of the roll on which it is mounted and extends substantially radially outwardly from the periphery of the roll and is provided with a pair of slots 6I which are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the roller. Radially slidably mounted on each plate 59 is an extensible mem- Movement of the U-shaped Yextensible member 62 is controlled by cross pins 63 extending through the slot 6I and having rollers 54 thereonengaging the edge portions of the slot 6I in order to maintain the outer rounded edge 65 of the extensible member 62 substantially parallel to the axis of the roll.

The extensible 'member 62 of each spacing Vmeans may be adjustably radially positioned by rolls I1 and I8 by a -4scription of the yplate vabout a cam and follower action between the inclined slots 6| and rollers 64. All of the spacingA members of both rolls, designated by the numerals 5I` to 58, inclusive, may be simultaneously varied in accor-dance with and in timed relationship with respect to rotation of the rolls I1 vand I8 by the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 4, 10 11 and 12. This apparatus comprises a plate 66 axially slidably mounted on each shaft end portion I9 and 23 of each of the rolls I1 and I8, respectively. Inasmuch as the plates 66 of each of the rolls I1 and I8 are alike, a de- 66 of the roll I8 will serve for both. Links 61 pivotally mounted attheir left ends, as viewed in Fig. 4, on the plate 66 extend between the sides of the U-shaped extensible members 62 and are pivotally attached thereto by a cross pin 68 at a location leftwardly ofthe left extremity 19 of the center plate 59. Theplate 66 is yieldably urged leftwardly by coil springs 80 disposed in bores 8| formed in the body portion of the roll I8 and which bear between the latter and the adjacent side face of the plate 66. The springs 80 urge the plate 66 and extensible members 62 leftwardly as viewed in Fig.`4, thereby retaining the extensible members 62 in their retracted position. During rightward movement of the plate E56, the extensible members 62 are accordingly moved rightwardly and they are cammed outwardly by the slot and roller connection between the extensible members and the center plate 59. In this manner, simultaneous movements of all of the extensible members 62 of the spacing means of each roll are simultaneously adjusted.

The plates 66 of the rolls I1 and I8 are simultaneously and correspondingly actuated by spaced forks 82 carried by a shaft B3 which is journalled in bearings 84 mounted on the side plate I5 of the frame structure. One fork of the shaft 83 operates upon the plate 68 of each roll I1 and I8, respectively, through the medium of a ball bearing race ring 85 surrounding a hub portion on the plate 66, there being a series of ball bearings 86 interposed between the race ring 85 and the hub portion of the plate 66, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The shaft 83 and forks 82 carried thereby are automatically actuated by control mechanism comprising a cam 81 and follower 88, shown in Fig. 10. The cam 8'7 is drivingly operated in timed relationship with respect to rotation of the train of gearing comprising a gear 89 fixed on the left end portion 23 of the shaft of the lower roll I8, having teeth meshed with an idler pinion 90 carried by an idler shaft 9| having a second idler pinion 92 provided with teeth meshed with a cam gear 93 journalled on the left end portion I9 of the shaft of the upperroll I1. The cam 81 is drivingly connected by a pin 94 with the cam gear 93, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The relative sizes of these gears and pinion's may be so predetermined so as to cause one complete rotation of the cam 81 during a selected number of rotations of the rolls I1 and I8 corresponding to the number of rotations thereof required to produce one complete cushion unit.

The follower 88 comprises a lever having one end pivotally mounted at 95 on the frame structure of the apparatus and is provided with a piurality of holes 96 by virtue of which its effective length may be altered if desired. Pivotally attached to the follower 88 at a location intermediate its ends is an adjustable link 91 having 'of the cam 81 at which point one a bifurcated end portion 98 pivotally connected with a crank arm 99 fixed on the shaft 83 and by means of which the shaft 83 is rotated to actuate the forks 82 and the plates 66 with which they cooperate. The contour of the cam 81 predetermines the amount the extensible U- shaped member 62 of the variable spacing means 5| to 58 are extended outwardly during each rotation of the roll I1 and I8. After a predetermined number of rotations of the rolls I1 and 'I8 corresponding to the number of rotations required to produce a cushion of a selected dimension, the upper end of the follower, as viewed in Fig. 10, moves into the low point or notch complete cycle ofthe operation of the apparatus is completed and the next cycle is ready to commence.

`When the spacing means of both rolls I1 and I8 are varied in the foregoing manner during one complete cushion forming cycle of operation of the apparatus, the height of both the upper and lower series of convolutions shown in Fig. 2 are successively varied to produce a cushion unit of wedge-shaped formation having upper and lower converging sides inclined with yrespect to the central intermediate plane of the cushion. If desired, the plate 66 of either or both the upper and lower rolls I1 or I8 may be rendered inoperative or adjustably xed in order to vary only the spacing means of one of the rolls or so as not to vary the spacing means of either of the rolls during each cushion forming cycle thereof. In this case only one of the rows of convolutions, as shown in Fig. 3, is varied in height and as a result only one side face of the cushion will be brought into inclined relationship with respect to a horizontal plane, for example. This may be accomplished by removing one or both of the set screws by which the forks 82 are non-rotatably secured to the shaft 83. The plates 66 may be xed in position to hold the extensible members 59 at selected radial positions by set screws |06 removably threaded therein and also threaded in apertures formed in the left ends of the rolls I1 and I8.

The Operation of the foregoing cushion unit forming apparatus will be clearly understood from a consideration of Fig. 8 wherein a roll of sheet-like resilient material I 0| is supported on a spindle |02 adjacent the rolls I1 and I8 which are driven by the gearing 21, 28 and 29 in clockwise and counterclockwise directions respectively. The sheet-like stock |0| is fed between the rolls I1 and I8 during operation thereof and portions of the sheet-like stock are engaged between the corresponding blades a to f and channels of the vanes A to F, respectively. The blades force the sheet-like stock into the channels in order to crimp the stock to bring the same to the convoluted formation shown in Figs. l to 3. Some of the fold edges thus formed are crimped to provide relatively sharpangular relationship between adjacent panels of the convolution by the clamping jaws of the vanes designated by A and D. During one complete rotation of the rolls I1 and'I8', fold edges and corresponding convolutions marked a, b', c', d', e and f in Fig, 1 are formed. In Ythe manufacture of tapered cushion units either of the forms shown in Figs. 2` and 3, the distances between the folds and edge portions are varied automatically in the foregoing manner.

The resulting cushion unit comprises a plurality of convolutions which are substantially selfsustaining in shape and which remain in nested formation. The cushion unit may be embodied in a seat, mattress or similar structure, by enclosing it within suitable upholstery or fabric material. The apparatus is entirely automatic in its operation and is capable of high speed production of cushion units.

Although but several specific embodiments of the invention are herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of `parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. Apparatus for forming a cushion unit from resilient sheet-like material comprising a pair of rolls between which said material is receivable, a plurality of spaced outwardly extending vane members on each roll having a channel in its outer extremity, and a plurality of blades on each roll constructed and arranged to extend into the channel of a corresponding vane member on the other roll respectively during each complete rotation of said rolls for creasing said material during passage thereof between said rolls at selected locations and in respectively opposite directions relative to the plane of said material respectively and for conditioning the latter to assume a self-sustaining convoluted contour.

2. Apparatus for forming a cushion unit from resilient sheet-like material comprisingra pair of rolls between which said material is'receivable, a plurality of spaced outwardly extending vane members on each roll having a channel in its outer extremity, a plurality of blades on each roll constructed and arranged to extend into the channel of a corresponding varie member on the other roll respectively during each complete rotation of said rolls for creasing said material during passage thereof between said rolls at`selected'locations and in respectively opposite directions relative to the plane of said material respectively and for conditioning the latter to assume a self-sustaining Vconvoluted contour, and meanson eachV of said rolls for selectively predetermining the distances between the locations on said'material at which certain of said creases are formed.

3. Apparatus for forming a cushion unit from resilient sheet-likeY material comprising Ya Vpair of rolls between which said material is receivable, a plurality of spacedV outwardly extending vane members on each roll having a channel in its outer extremity, a plurality of blades on each roll constructed and arranged to extend into the channel of a corresponding vane member on the other roll respectively during each complete rotation of said rolls Vfor creasing saidmaterial during passage thereof between said rolls at selected locations and in respectively opposite directions relative to the plane of said material respectively and for conditioning the latter to assume a self-sustaining? convoluted contour, and automatically variable members operable in timed relation to rotation of said rollsfor varying the distance between locations on said sheetlike material at which certain of said creases are'formed during convolutions forming cycles of said rolls. Y'

r4. Apparatus for forming a cushion unit from resilient sheet-like material comprising a pair of rolls between which said material is receivable, a plurality of spaced outwardly extending vane members on each roll having a channel in its outer extremity, a plurality of blades on each roll constructed and arrangedV to extend into the channel of a corresponding vane member on the other roll respectively during each complete rotation of said rolls for creasing said material during passage thereof between said rolls at selected locations and in respectively opposite directions relative to the plane of said material respectively and for conditioning the latter to assume a self- Vsustaining convoluted contour, substantially radially shiftable spacing members on said rolls for varying the distance between locations on said sheet-like material at which certain of said creases are formed, and apparatus for automatically varying the positions of said spacing members during operation of said rolls, said apparatus being operable in timed relation to rotation or" said rolls and so constructed and arranged as to progressively decrease the distance between certain of said locations during a selected numer of convolution-forming cycles of operation of said rolls.

5. Apparatus for forming from a strip of sheetlike resilient material a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions extending at opposite inclinations with respect to a plane intermediate the opposite side planes of said unit including first and second rolls between which said strip is receivable, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said iirst and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of said convolutions of said unit, and three consecutive male and female creasing members on said first and second rolls respecytively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit.

6; Apparatus for forming from. a strip of sheetlike resilient material a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions extending at opposite inclinations with respect to a plane intermediate the opposite side planes of said unit including rst and second rolls between which said strip is receivable, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said rst and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normalplane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of Vsaid convolutions of said unit, and three consecutive male and female creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length atY longitudinally spaced locations and to'fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of Vsaid unit, said rolls having duplicate sets o-f said creasing members disposed in said foregoing arrangement for forming four successive convolutions of said unit during each complete rotation of said rolls.

7. Apparatus for forming from a strip of sheetlike resilient material a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions extending at opposite inclinations with respect to a plane intermediate the opposite side planes of said unit including first and second rolls 'between which said strip is receivable, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of said convolutions of said unit, three consecutive male and female creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinallyy spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit, and variable spacing members between certain of said creasing members for predetermining the distance between the creases formed thereby in said strip.

8. Apparatus for forming from a strip of sheetlike resilient material a cushion'unit comprising successive convolutions extending at opposite inclinations with respect to a plane intermediate the opposite side planes of said unit including first and second rolls between which said strip is receivable, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of said convolutions of said unit, three consecutive male and female creasing meinbers on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit, variable spacing members between certain of said creasing members for predetermining the distance between the creases formed thereby in said strip, and control apparatus operable in timed relationship with respect to rotation of said rolls for automatically varying the positions of said spacing members during each of a plurality of rotations of said rolls.

9. Apparatus for forming from a strip of sheetlike resilient material a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions extending at opposite inclinations with respect to a plane intermediate the opposite side planes of said unit including first and second rolls between which said strip is receivable, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of said convolutions of said unit, three consecutive male and female creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit, one of said female creasing members of one roll including relatively movable jaws between which the associated male creasing member of the other roll and portions of said strip are receivable, and means for bringing said jaws toward each other when said latter male creasing member and portions of said strip are disposed therebetween in order to crimp the adjacent portions of said strip.

10. Apparatus for forming from a strip of sheetlike resilient material a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions extending at opposite inclinations with respect to a plane intermediate the opposite side planes of said unit including first and second rolls between which said strip is receivable, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations andgto fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for lforming one of said convolutions of said unit, three consecutive male and female creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit, one of said female creasing members of one roll including relatively movable jaws between which the associated male creasing member of the other roll and portions of said strip are receivable, means for automatically bringing said jaws toward each other when said latter male creasing member and portions of said strip are disposed therebetween including a pneumatically expansible element, and actuating mechanism operable in timed relation with respect to rotation of said rolls for supplying a fluid pressure medium thereto.

Ill. Apparatus for forming a cushion unit from resilient sheet-like material comprising a pair of rolls between which said material is receivable, a plurality of spaced outwardly extending vane members on each roll having a channel in its outer extremity, a plurality of blades on each roll constructed and arranged to extend into the channel of a corresponding vane member on the other roll respectively during each complete rotation of said rolls for creasing said material g during passage thereof between said rolls at selected locations and in selected directions relative to the plane of said material respectively and for conditioning the latter to assume a self-sustaining convoluted contour, one of said vane members of one roll including a pair of relatively movable jaws between which a POrOn 0f a corresponding blade member of the other roll and portions of said strip are receivable, and means for bringing said jaws toward each other when said blade and strip portions are therebetween in order to crimp the adjacent portions of said strip. i

l2. Apparatus for forming from a strip cf sheetlike resilient material a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions, including a support, first and second rolls rotatably supported by said support and adapted to receive said strip therebetween, three successive coacting female and male creasingfmembers on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of said convolutions of said unit, three consecutive male and female creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit, one of said female creasing members of one roll including relatively movable jaws between which the associated male creasing member of the other roll and portions of said strip are receivable, a hydraulically expansible element carried by said latter roll and adapted to actuate said relatively movable jaws, said latter roll having a passage for conveying fluid pressure to said expansible element, a valve element carried by said latter roll and adapted to control the passage of fluid pressure into and out of said expansible element, a cam member fixed to said support and adapted to adjust said valve element whereby the fiuid pressure flow through said passage is controlled, said Valve element and said cam member being operable in timed relation with respect to the rotation of said rolls for adjusting said valve element so that fluid pressure is admitted from said passage to said expansible element to bring said jaws toward each other only when said latter male creasing member and portions of said strip are disposed therebetween.

13. Apparatus for forming from a strip of sheet-like resilient material a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions, including a support, first and second rolls rotatably supported by said support and adapted to receive said strip therebetween, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of said convolutions of said unit, three consecutive male and female creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit, a plurality of longitudinally extending plate members fixed to said rolls between certain of said creasing members and extending substantially radially outwardly from the periphery of said rolls, each of said plate Imembers having a pair of slots which are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axes of said rolls, extensible members of substantially U-shaped cross section each of which is slidably mounted on one of said plate members and having cross pins extending into said slots, and means on said support for adjustably` varying the location of said cross pins in said slots whereby the radial movement of each of said extensible members is controlled for predetermining the distance between the creases in said strip which are formed by said latter creasing members.

14. Apparatus for forming from a strip of sheet-like resilient lmaterial a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions extending at opposite inclinations with respect to a plane intermediate the opposite side planes of said unit, including a support, first and second rolls having shaft end portions rotatably supported by said support and adapted toreceive said strip therebetween, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of said convolutions of said unit, three consecutive male and female creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit, a plurality of longitudinally extending plate members fixed to said rolls between certain of said creasing members and extending substantially radially outwardly from the periphery of said rolls, each of said plate members having a pair of slots which are inclined With respect to the longitudinal axes of said rolls, lextensible members of substantially U-shaped cross section each of which is slidably mounted on one of said plate members and having cross pins extending into said slots, a pair of plates each of which is axially slidably mounted on an adjacent shaft end portion of one of said rolls, links pivotally connected to the sides of said extensible members and to said plates, yieldable means for yieldably urging said plates away from said rolls whereby said cross pins are retained in their retracted positions in one extremity of said slots, and means including a cam operable in timed relationship with respect to rotation of said rolls for automatically varying the positions of said plates whereby the radial movement of all of said extensible members is controlled during each of a plurality of rotations of said rolls.

15. Apparatus for forming from a strip of sheet-like resilient material a cushion unit comprising successive convolutions extending at opposite inclinations with respect to a plane intermediate the opposite side planes of said unit, including a support, first and second rolls having shaft end portions rotatably supported by said support and adapted to receive said strip therebetween, three successive coacting female and male creasing members on said first and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip Vtransversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panelsA thereof in one direction relative to the normal plane of said strip during passage thereof between said rolls for forming one of said convolutions of said unit, three consecutive male and female creasing members on said rst and second rolls respectively adapted to crease said strip transversely of its length at longitudinally spaced locations and to fold adjacent panels thereof in an opposite direction relative to the normal plane of said strip for forming the next successive convolution of said unit, a plurality of longitudinally extending plate members xed to said rolls between certain of said creasing members and extending substantially radially outwardly from the periphery of said rolls, each of said plate members having a pair of slots which are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axes of said rolls, extensible members of substantially U-shaped cross section each of which is slidably mounted on one of said plate members and having cross pins extending into said slots, a pair of plates each of which is axially slidably mounted on an adjacent shaft end portion of one of said rolls, links pivotally connected to the sides of said extensible members and toV said plates, yieldable means for yieldably urging said plates away from said rolls whereby said cross pins are retained in their retracted positions in one extremity of said slots,

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to either of said plates whereby said extensible members of one of said rolls are held intheir retracted positions While the radial movement of the extensible members of the other of said rolls is automatically controlled.

WALTER P. COUSINO. 

